Game Day pres. by AAA: Preseason #4 (at St. Louis)

IN GAME UPDATESSECOND PERIOD RECAP: This game has been a little bit of everything so far, and the margin remains the same in the Jackets' favor after 40 minutes in St. Louis. Dana Tyrell scored one of the weirdest goals you'll see (a SHG to boot), chipping the puck from behind the Blues' net out in front, where it hit a Blues defenseman in the crease and rolled into the net. That goal made it 5-1 Columbus, but St. Louis would get one back late in the period on a deflection by captain David Backes, who was in his usual spot high in the slot.

McElhinney was solid again in the second period, making 12 saves on 13 shots including a couple 10-bell stops along the way. It's been two preseason outings for McElhinney and he's looked good in both of them.

FIRST PERIOD RECAP: There were penalties, some skirmishes…and plenty of goals. Columbus and St. Louis combined for 24 shots and five goals in the opening period, four of those tallies belonging to the Blue Jackets who lead 4-1 after 20 minutes at Scottrade Center.

The Blue Jackets used three power play goals (Boll, Craig, Tyutin) to capitalize on a ragged run of play from the hosts, including an errant high-sticking double minor by Magnus Paajarvi that gave the Jackets a lengthy 5-on-3.

All of the goals came in the first 13:13 for Columbus, which needed only 11 shots to score its four goals. The power play featured an interesting wrinkle with newcomer Simon Hjalmarsson manning the point alongside Fedor Tyutin, and Hjalmarsson did a really nice job distributing the puck and getting shots on net.

The Blues were able to get one back late in the period on a 2-on-1 between Paul Stastny and one-time Blue Jackets prospect Joakim Lindstrom, the latter slamming a cross-ice pass inside the post to make it 4-1 with 1:41 left in the first period.

Ryan Craig on the power play puts the Jackets up three --> LISTEN HERE

Fedor Tyutin scores on the power play for the Jackets, making it 4-0 --> LISTEN HERE

Pre-game: no changes from the morning lines for the Blue Jackets. They'll start Curtis McElhinney in net and go with the lines and pairs listed just a bit down this page.

The Blues are starting Brian Elliott in goal but will be without Alex Steen, originally scheduled to play tonight. Steen's injury is said to be minor and he should be fine going forward. You're welcome for that.

UPDATE: Some good news from the second (non-playing) group practice today. Boone Jenner, Matt Calvert and Alexander Wennberg - who have not practiced since Sunday's morning skate - are all practicing today.

UPDATE: Ryan Murray (knee) also skated this morning in the OhioHealth Ice Haus, and he's been doing so fairly regularly as the Blue Jackets try to manage his workload during training camp. There's still no word as to when Murray will suit up for an exhibition game, however.

In case you missed it: the Blue Jackets made some roster moves yesterday, to get their camp roster down to 50 players.

Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards on tonight's game..."It's a good test for our group. They'll have some veterans in the lineup and it's always a tough place to play."

We'll have more from Richards on Jackets TV later this morning!

UPDATE: Tim Erixon, who took a shot off the knee during Sunday's preseason game in Carolina, is skating by himself this morning in the OhioHealth Ice Haus. There's been no update on a return, but the fact that he's skating is a good sign.

Looks like tonight's game will be the first dress rehearsal for many of the Blues' veterans. According to the team, the following players are expected to play tonight against the Blue Jackets: Stastny, Backes, Oshie, Steen, Pietrangelo & Bouwmeester.

SCOUTING REPORTThe Jackets and Blues face off for the second time this week. Dillon Heatherington’s overtime goal on Sunday gave the Jackets the win in the first meeting between the teams, which was Columbus' preseason home opener. Tonight the teams will face off in the Blues’ first exhibition game at home.

The Blues are off to an 0-1-1 start to their preseason, losing to the Blue Jackets and also dropping a 4-3 decision to the Dallas Stars. Though they’re still looking for their first win, head coach Ken Hitchcock is already seeing the right things from a few of his top players. Vladmir Tarasenkoscored a goal against Columbus on a sharp wrister past Oscar Dansk, only one example in an otherwise strong preseason debut for the Blues’ breakout star of last season. Patrik Berglund is coming off a down offensive year but has the potential to be an important contributor for the Blues. He scored a breakaway goal in Dallas and played nearly 21 minutes.

Got a burning #CBJ question? Tweet it using the #RbAExperts hashtag & you could hear yours on the radio tonight!

Brian Elliot will start in goal for the Blues. Elliot made his preseason debut in Dallas and was strong, stopping 12 of 13 shots in two periods of work. The Jackets faced Jake Allen on Sunday, who surrendered three goals on 14 shots through two periods.